Bushrangers take on the state in Indigenous footy competition

A busload of bushrangers from Gayndah are heading to the state capital - but the only conquests they're planning are on the football field.

The Bushrangers are an Indigenous touch football team, with players from Eidsvold and Mundubbera as well as Gayndah. Their two mixed teams - under 18s and open age - are busy on field and off with preparations for their trip to the First Contact Sports and Cultural Festival in Brisbane at the end of the month.

"We're pretty excited," team manager Chris Duncan said, "It's the first time we've taken teams down.

"This particular competition is all about Indigenous people and Indigenous sport. It's also about looking at lifestyle choices; improving kids' lifestyle choices, giving them options, building their confidence. It's alcohol and drug free, and that's one of the main drivers behind it, to show them there are healthy ways to enjoy life."

First Contact is a Brisbane-based Indigenous service, which organises development and training including cultural and sporting programs. The Sports and Cultural Festival is an annual event which has run since 1993.

Ms Duncan said the Bushrangers hoped their trip to the festival would drum up more local support for the team when they come home.

"The people involved are really keen, and we're hoping that when we come back, it'll spark even more interest. We want to continue this, and do it every year. This being our first one, it's a bit of a dry run."

And it's a dry run that doesn't come cheap. Ms Duncan said, including the cost of players' food and incidentals, they needed $8000 to $10,000 to take their two teams to Brisbane for the competition.

"I've been able to get some funding through Queensland Health, and we've applied to the Department of Sport and Recreation as well, and hopefully between it all we'll have it covered. We're trying to raise more money to cover the players' food and all the little bits and pieces as well."

While Chris is guarded about the new team's chances in the competition, she said just getting to Brisbane and taking part would be a win in itself.

"We'll go alright, but it's all about taking part and participating. If you win games, that's the cream on the cake, but just getting down there and being a part of the whole event is the main thing. That's what we're looking forward to."